Anne Whitney
First Lines
A sweet hope fluttering at my heart
Alas! and yesternight I woke in terror,
And for that thou art Beauty, and thy name
As pleasant a man as you would see,
Darkness surrounds me with its phantom hosts,
From all these mounds, though day blows fresh and warm,
Go wear your tortured smile; speak and say nought;
I dreamed an angel, Angel twice, through death,
I dwelt content with God and loving all,
I know this spirit bridges unknown space
I pledge you in a cup not overbrimming.
In the still hours, a stiller strength was born
Largess from seven-fold heavens, I pray, descend
Look northward from this rock and see,
Loud heart, that sleep'st when the world's awake,
Might we make quest, through this soft circling sky,
No slight caprice rules thee. -- Who sounds one note
O calmly, lovingly, Night, vast and deep,
O fair mistrust of earth's more solid shows!
O high-born souls, such as God sends to mould
O Mankind's God! most silent and most lowly
O night, a terrible dismay still lurks
Of better fortune coming, then, talk not,
Once, spirit, as a little child, I went
Seem I beyond thy reach of eye
So reed-like fragile, in the world's whirl nought,
Stoop low, dear Night, a little star-breeze wakes
The cross, the thorns, the cruel nails again!
Thou seem'st to solve the eternal unity
Thou teachest better things unto my heart,
Twas then we said, thrice happy in our earth,
Within my life another life runs deep,
Yet are there sunbeams, though the kingly sun
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